The Charlotte Hornets traded center Nick Richards and a second-round draft pick to the Phoenix Suns for forward Josh Okogie and three second-round picks, it was announced Wednesday.

The Hornets sent a 2025 second-rounder from Denver to Phoenix, who traded a 2026 second-rounder from the Nuggets and a 2031 second-rounder (Denver, Phoenix) to Charlotte, sources told ESPN.

The Suns, who rank last in the NBA in points from their starting center, will get much-needed help at the position from the 7-foot Richards, who is averaging 8.9 points and 7. Grabbed 5 rebounds, his fifth with the Hornets.

Richards has been even more productive in his nine starts this season, averaging 11.3 points, 10.2 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in those contests. According to ESPN Research, he has shot 65% from the field over the last four seasons and was the fifth-best player in the NBA (at least 800 attempts) during that span.

The Hornets have accumulated significant draft capital over the last year, acquiring two first-round picks and eight second-round picks in trades since January 2024. They’ll also get a look at a defensive-minded wing in Okogie, who, like Richards, has a team-friendly non-guarantee for the 2025-26 season.

Richards is expected to fight to become the starting center for the Suns, who have mostly played Mason Plumlee and rookie Oso Ighodaro in recent weeks. Veteran center Jusuf Nurkic is currently out with the flu, but was benched for two straight games on Jan. 6 and 7 before being taken out of Phoenix’s rotation entirely.

Coincidentally, Richards played his final two games for the Hornets against the Suns. He had 15 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks in 25 minutes in the Hornets’ 115-104 win over the Suns on Jan. 7, then had four points, five rebounds and two steals in 18 minutes in a loss on Sunday.

ESPN’s Bobby Marks contributed to this report.